Renan Barao
34-9-0
About
Former UFC bantamweight champion whose dominant peak made him pound-for-pound feared before two losses to TJ Dillashaw rewrote the story.
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Renan Barao was, for a stretch, one of the most feared fighters on the planet: a Brazilian bantamweight champion who went years without a loss and earned a spot on pound-for-pound lists with brutal Muay Thai and a knack for spectacular finishes. His spinning-kick knockout of Eddie Wineland and back-to-back wins over Urijah Faber were the highlights of a dominant reign.
Everything changed when TJ Dillashaw upset him in 2014 and finished him again in the rematch. Barao never found his old form, and the back half of his career was a long, painful slide against the division's rising names.
For a new fan, Barao is a cautionary tale and a highlight reel in equal measure - proof of how quickly a seemingly invincible champion can be passed by, and a reminder of just how scary he was at his peak.
Why fans love Barao
His peak was breathtaking - violent, technical, and seemingly untouchable for years.
